Caravan towing fraser island

[KDJ02]

Hi guys,


I bought a 2013 D4 3.0lt TDV6 about 6 months ago & am looking to tow a 23ft caravan on Fraser island.
I have been to Fraser plenty of times and am pretty experienced driving in sand. Is there anything I can do to give the D4 a bit more punch or extra clearance as these are the 2 biggest issues in getting bogged getting on the barge or into the campground at cathederals.
Any help would be great.

[discotwinturbo]

GOE rods (or LLAMS) and GOE rims to fit 18's.

Or quite low pressures on factory tyres (I have been down to 12 on factory rubber for big dunes over here), sand mode, low range in soft areas, dsc off.

Low pressures on trailer too.

Brett...

[ytt105]

I thought they didn't allow large caravans onto Fraser!

[AnD3rew]

Agree with Llams or rods for height. And tyre pressures for any car are essential in sand.

But the biggest killer for these cars on sand is DSC. Make sure you turn it off and most importantly remember that every time you switch the car off it turns back on.

I have my family trained to all chime in "DSC off" whenever we get back in the car when we are on sand.

I wouldn't think the D4 3lt actually needs more punch, but there are re maps and chips available if you really think you needs more.

[ozscott]

The highest profile tyres you can shoehorn into her. Cheers

[mowog]

A 23' Caravan on Fraser Island!

[weeds]

I thought they didn't allow large caravans onto Fraser!

don't believe so, plenty of caravan and camper trailers make there way up there


A 23' Caravan on Fraser Island!

the main issue would be coming off the barge depending on how steep the beach is.........

[KDJ02]

GOE rods (or LLAMS) and GOE rims to fit 18's.

Or quite low pressures on factory tyres (I have been down to 12 on factory rubber for big dunes over here), sand mode, low range in soft areas, dsc off.

Low pressures on trailer too.

Brett...

A couple of queries


How low on the trailer I thought 15 psi but I have been told from 5psi to you don't let them down, The 18 inch rims is that just for a better tyre selection or are there other reasons. The LLAMS or rods are definitely going on. I don't have any trouble with the cars tyre pressures or modes etc. Any other advice on extras for D4 would be great or for the van. I was thinking of a stub axel that I can set up on the front of the van if I get stuck & have to drop the van and snatch it, I could put the spare on the front & get it out of trouble. We are travelling with a 2012 BT50, 2009 Triton & 2013 Pajero so I can get towed easily & have plenty of helpers. I am not known for doing things the easy way and am always trying things that others wouldn't. like a 23ft van to Fraser.

[R Miller]

I had a mate that made up a stainless steel skid that connected to his hitch, it was more for if he got stuck in mud, but it was quite effective

[Meken]

Would snatching the van cause any damage ( like cabinets off walls ) I 'm sure the chassis would take it but the jerk might damage some of the internal fixings? How heavy is the van?

[Meken]

Oh and would tyre pressure on the van be dictated by the van weight - our single axle van carries about 800kg on each tyre - so quite a bit more than each tyre on our freelander2 for example.

[PaulGOz]

I have towed our 1100kg camper trailer on fraser with the d4 and passed many a bogged vehicle when there was enough space to do so. I would normally stop to help but figured I already had my work cut out for me. I found the d4 was fine simply in sand mode with dsc on. I also found the d4 in off road mode mostly sat clear of centre mounds on tracks as many a car is lower and knocks it down for you. If you encounter anything that looks difficult just tie one or two cars to the front of the d4 and tackle it as a unit. Also use low range everywhere except on the hard packed beach where speeds may warrant high range.

I would also suggest 4 max trax or similar very quick and relatively safe method of recovery for your situation.

How heavy is the van is it twin axle? If so you may have better floation than some singles.

I

[KDJ02]

Yes twin axel . Fully loaded about 2400kg.

[KDJ02]

Would snatching the van cause any damage ( like cabinets off walls ) I 'm sure the chassis would take it but the jerk might damage some of the internal fixings? How heavy is the van?

When I snatch it out I mean to tow it with the snatch strap not really snatch.

[discotwinturbo]

If the track of the trailer is wider than your disco (which is probably the case) and it's quite soft, I would expect you will have fun. It's like pulling dead weight.

The lowest I have been down to with a tandem axle 2.5 tonne trailer, was 18 and the tread lengthened reasonable well.....but I sure felt it in soft sand. Luckily I did not have a huge distance to cover and it was very flat.

The last time I went on a Fraser ferry was from the launch just around from Rainbow Beach about 20 years ago.....and at that time I would have had no chance even getting a trailer of that size to the ferry and it was quite flat and very soft. Our small camper trailer made it though.

Good luck....I hope the sand is nice and hard for you mate.

Brett....

[ozscott]

Mate that's a big van. The area around the barge, if it has been dry - no rain for a while - and heaps of vehicles through is VERY boggy. Its a real trap because you would think Fraser itself would be where you are going to have any dramas. Plus you have to slow right down. If high tide you dont get any advantage of harder wet sand, so suggest low tide for your trip only - there and back. Same comments generally for the beach not just barge access.

I wouldnt do what you are doing, despite my sand driving experience towing, without having max tracks or similar x 4 (preferably 6-8), high profile tyres on the truck (as high as you can go at least) and van, AND someone coming with you, in front, in a genuine 4WD who knows how to drive and having the right recovery gear. I think the recovery points on the D4 are very good from memory, but are they both sides and if so use a bridle. Whether they would take a snatch with a total weight of close to 6 tonns if very stuck might be another story!

Cheers

[cripesamighty]

Disco 3/4 recovery points are in the centre so don't require a bridle. I don't know how they handle shock loads of snatching 6 tonnes, but they seem to do well with static loads of around that figure....

Disco 3 - The Big Lift (demonstration)
Land Rover Discovery / LR3 The Big Lift - YouTube

[pohm66]

Having come to the rescue of a couple of large vans on Teewah Beach would serious recommend 2 sets of maxtrax or similar.

One set for your front wheels and the second on the leading wheels of the van, as you move up and forward the trax become solid platforms for the trailing wheels to aid in lift and forward movement.

Would suggest also putting long bright coloured rope on them to easily locate and pull from soft sand. If it wasn't for the rope wouldn't have found one trax in a pink fit

[Fitzy2011]

So much is going to depend on the conditions at the time! I was there in May and the barge was an issue as others have mentioned but there were a few other problems. Hook point was out, so definitely do the inland road no matter what the tide as so much sand was gone there were sheer walls about 3 m high and water within a meter or two at bottom tide. But worse was the rocks. Because of the lack of sand huge areas of coffee rock were exposed, for hundreds of meters and no way round. I was literally climbing up and down reasonably large outcrops and it was a pain without a 23ft van.
I'd be checking with Parks and Wildlife and the Cathederal people about the conditions at the time, because all the sand may be back, or it may not.
It will certainly be an adventure and plan for a very long trip up the beach.

[KDJ02]

So much is going to depend on the conditions at the time! I was there in May and the barge was an issue as others have mentioned but there were a few other problems. Hook point was out, so definitely do the inland road no matter what the tide as so much sand was gone there were sheer walls about 3 m high and water within a meter or two at bottom tide. But worse was the rocks. Because of the lack of sand huge areas of coffee rock were exposed, for hundreds of meters and no way round. I was literally climbing up and down reasonably large outcrops and it was a pain without a 23ft van.
I'd be checking with Parks and Wildlife and the Cathederal people about the conditions at the time, because all the sand may be back, or it may not.
It will certainly be an adventure and plan for a very long trip up the beach.



Yes that's my concern which I will only be able to assess a couple of days prior to going, as it changes so quick. I certainly wont be taking the van if I cant get around hook point & there is plenty of sand on the beach not coffee rock. I haven't been there for about 3 years now. My other issue is the angle of the ramps on the barge which again is dependant on beach conditions. I have seen some huge vans on the barge & beach up there. Generally early in the new year after a wet Christmas January the beach is at its best. So here's hoping.

[Fitzy2011]

The inland road is / has been upgraded and is much better then it used to be, and the barge operator will normally move the barge if you need a flatter entry, but I think it is a huge ask to take that big a van up there. I,m not sure when you are going but I'm going back again in May if I can be of any help, just let me know.

[wcody01]

keen to hear how you go
I was thinking of taking our 2.8T 24 foot jayco sterling outback to fraser next year
I did enquire about getting the flat bed truck/towie to take it over for me, at least to get it on and off the barge and on to some better grounding
Please keep us posted on your adventure and good luck
Cheers
Will